The letter said that Wei Yi has disappeared.
Ji Yunshu scanned through the letter and her heart skipped a beat.
After she finished reading the letter, the letter slipped through her fingers and drifted to the floor. She sat rooted to the spot, staring into s.p.a.ce. At that moment, her brain was a complete blank other than the four words ringing in her ears, “Wei Yi has disappeared”.
“Yunshu.” Concerned, Jing Rong held her cold hand and comforted her, “You don't have to worry about Wei Yi. This prince won't let anything happen to him. I've ordered my men to head to the capital in advance, and also told Lu Jiang to find him, no matter what the cost.”
She slowly focused her gaze, and looked Jing Rong in the eye. “So, does that mean that you learned about this way earlier, and you also know who kidnapped him?”
Jing Rong nodded.
“This letter arrived on the day after you got injured. If this prince's guess is right, Jing Yi is the one who abducted Wei Yi.”
“Jing Yi?” When she said the name, she imagined it as a piece of meat in her mouth. All she wanted to do was to bite down and tear it into pieces with her teeth.
She stared at the man before her in disbelief. “If you've long figured it out, why didn't you tell me earlier?”
Jing Rong told her about his reservations. “You were injured back then. If I told you about this, not only would you be worried, but you also would want to leave for the capital immediately. For once, this prince decided to be selfish and hide it from you. I was planning to disclose it to you only after we found Wei Yi. But…”
But you wanted to head to Jinjiang to see Wei Yi, so I have no choice but to be honest about what happened.
Ji Yunshu’s expression was full of distress and anxiety. Although her chest burned, she was also s.h.i.+vering all over. She shook her head, only to be tormented by her thoughts. “What if something bad happens to Wei Yi? What if it wasn't Prince Yi who got him? Even if it was Prince Yi, what if…”
“There will be no more what-ifs!” Jing Rong denied all her negative thoughts. After a brief silence, he continued, “Nothing will happen to Wei Yi. This prince will definitely rescue him.” His tone was full of confidence.
She bit her lips hard, forcing herself not to dwell on this, because all she could imagine were the worst-case scenarios.
At that instant, she believed only in this man before her. Her cold hand was wrapped in Jing Rong's. The warmth of his palm radiated out and slowly seeped through her blood vessels, warming her entire body and steadying her nerves.
Jing Rong pulled her into his embrace. Beneath his cold gaze carried a hint of viciousness and malice. “This prince will claim the life of whoever dares hurt Wei Yi.”
On the other hand, Ji Yunshu could only pray hard, hoping that the Heavens would show mercy to Wei Yi and keep him safe and sound.
Soon after, Jing Rong ordered his men to hasten their trip back to the capital, even if it meant traveling through the night, as he no longer wanted to lose any more time.
In the other carriage,Tang Si did not understand why they had suddenly sped up. She complained, “Why are we rus.h.i.+ng all of a sudden?”
Mo Ruo ignored her as he continued to read the book in his hands with a solemn expression.
“What are you reading?”
Are you blind? “It’s a book.” He gave a succinct answer indifferently.
“I know it’s a book. You’ve been reading this book since we started our journey. You haven't even drunk any wine. That's too strange for you.” When she finished speaking, she tried to s.n.a.t.c.h the book from Mo Ruo.
However, Mo Ruo moved his hands away and dodged her attack.
“Stop fooling around,” he reprimanded.
Tang Si could only lean toward Mo Ruo to take a peek at the book. “What are you reading?”
“I am looking for a cure.”
“A cure? What kind of cure are you looking for?”
“The antidote for Bufotoxin.”
Tang Si was taken aback, and the smile on her face disappeared. She asked, “So, Ah Ji is really poisoned by Bufotoxin?”
Mo Ruo ignored her and continued reading the medical book in his hand.
For the past few days, he had gone through many different medical books. However, the books only detailed the characteristics of Bufotoxin and nothing else. He even read the book his father left him, the one that he always kept with him at all times, but to no avail.
He closed his book, and heaved a sigh. “I will probably have to continue my research at Yuhua Pavillion.”
Tang Si seemed concerned as she urged, “Ah Mo, you have to find the antidote to save Ah Ji. If you can’t save her, she will live in pain for the rest of her life.”
“I know.”
“Also, are you not planning to disclose this to His Highness?”
“How do you think he will react if he ever finds out about this?”
“He cares about Ah Ji dearly. If he ever finds out about this, he will definitely go nuts. You didn’t see him on the night when he killed all the men who came after us. He was drenched in blood and his eyes were so red that even I was scared of him.” Tang Si still felt frightened as she recalled the night.
Mo Ruo shot Tang Si a glance and said, “Since you know he will go nuts, don't you think he'll kill everyone in the world if I tell him the truth?”
“You’re right.”
He heaved another sigh. Although he was a legendary doctor, he was not an almighty one. Bufotoxin was something even a deity could not cure.
Nevertheless…
He said in a resolute tone, “I’ll find a way to cure her.”
In the capital, at Zhangzhi Hall.
Ever since Sui’er died, the door to Jing Xuan’s room had been kept shut. The door was locked with several padlocks, and would only be unlocked when food was delivered to her.
Duan’er, who was carrying a meal tray, opened the door and tiptoed into the room. When she entered the room, she saw Jing Xuan sitting on the bed. The latter was wearing a white gown, and her long hair cascaded down her back. She was not wearing any accessories, let alone makeup, her face was white as a sheet.
Jing Xuan merely sat on her bed soullessly, not budging at all.
Duan’er put down the tray, and approached Jing Xuan. Concerned, she called, “Princess?”
There was no reply from Jing Xuan.
“This humble one knows how sad the princess must be feeling right now. However, you shouldn’t starve yourself. You haven’t eaten anything for two days. If this continues, you will fall sick. Princess, just take one bite. This humble one is begging you to eat.”
Jing Xuan remained silent.
Duan’er wiped off her tears, but continued to sob, “Princess, why are you doing this to yourself? You’re jeopardizing your own health and Sui’er’s death has nothing to do with you. You should stop blaming yourself. This humble one is begging you to eat. Please, eat something.”
There was still no response from Jing Xuan.
Duan’er dropped to her knees and pleaded, “Princess, please…”
Jing Xuan wore a blank expression, as if she heard nothing at all. She had neither eaten anything nor slept for the past two days. She had done nothing but sit there motionlessly. If she continued doing this, she would either die of hunger or lack of sleep.
Duan’er has lost count of how many times she had tried to convince Jing Xuan, always entering the room to speak with her whenever she came to bring her food. Unfortunately, all of them ended up in failure.
For a long while, Duan’er continued to kneel there, trying to persuade Jing Xuan. Eventually, she had no choice but to leave the place sighing. When she closed the door, Duan’er could not hold her tears any longer. The maids who were waiting outside the room went forward to comfort her. “Sister Duan’er, don’t cry.”
“How can I not be sad to see the Princess behaving like this?”
“But, what can we do? The Princess refuses to eat, drink or rest. She only sits there for days. If this continues, she will surely…” The young maid did not finish her sentence.
Duan’er wiped away her tears, and abruptly focused her gaze. “I’m going to look for Her Ladys.h.i.+p.”
Huh!? Before anyone recovered from their astonishment, she had already left for Concubine Xiao’s quarters.